Introduction

Welcome to the Companion Animals in the Community ActionGuide. This ActionGuide is made possible by a grant from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

Our feature article reports the research on the many benefits of companion animals in our lives. We also provide resources and information to help you incorporate companion animals into your home, community, workplace, and parks.

Please let us know how these materials helped you and how you used them. Send your comments to info@deltasociety.org.

This collection of resources is active and growing. Please let us know about other resources you think we should include or how we can improve this ActionGuide. E-mail Delta Society at info@deltasociety.org.

Feature Article

The Healthy Pleasure of Their Company: Companion Animals and Human Health
Karen Allen, Ph.D., School of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo

• Introduction
• Physiological Responses to Stress
• Companion Animals as Social Support for People with Chronic Illness and Disability
• Companion Animals and Elderly People
• Companion Animals as Part of a Healthy Family Environment
• Companion Animals as Social Facilitators
• Conclusions
• References

Pets in Housing

• The Legal Ins and Outs of Pet Ownership and Housing.
• Service Animals in Housing.
• Pets in Housing Resources.

Pets in Cities

• IAHAIO Pets in Cities Award.
  • Park Liebrecht: Green Space Designed for City People and Pets
    (1998 Award Winner: Jette, Belgium).
  • Integrating Animals into the Community
    (1995 award winner: Rennes, France).
  • Good Dog Campaign and Poop Scoop Scheme
    (1992 Award Winner: Warwickshire, UK).
  • Responsible Pet Ownership Neighborhood Program
    (1992 Award Nominee: Tallahassee, Florida).
• AFIRAC: Towards Better Integration of Animals in the City
  • Success Factors of Programs that Integrate Animals in Cities
  • From Dog Training to Responsible Ownership.
  • Dogs in Paris.

Dog Parks

• Dog Parks: Can a Place That Lets Rover Roam Help Your Community?
• Recommended Dog Park Rules and Regulations.
• Off-leash, But in Bounds.
• Dog Park Resources. Updated!

Pets in the Workplace

• Corporate Bonds: Pets Go to the Office.
• Taking Your Pet to Work.

A Legal Perspective

• What the Legal System Is Doing to Protect the Rights of Animals and Their Owners.

Traveling with Your Pet

• Pets & Go Web Site - Currently includes travel tips, transportation, and lodging information for traveling with your pet in Europe, USA, Canada, and South Africa. Additional countries are being added.